Fall is a great time to plant certain North Carolina plants, such as turfgrass, trees, shrubs and perennial flowering plants. You can find a variety of plants and shrubs at the state-operated farmers markets in Asheville, Colfax, Charlotte, Raleigh and Lumberton. This weekend is a particularly good time to start your planting in Asheville and Raleigh because the two markets will have additional garden experts available to offer advice and answer your questions.
Fall is a good time to plant certain North Carolina plants, shrubs and grasses.
The WNC Farmers Market in Asheville will host a Master Gardeners plant clinic Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your plant-related questions and get free advice on difficult home horticulture situations. Volunteers can help you with identifying home horticulture pests, plant care and management of disease.
In Raleigh, you can get answers to gardening questions during a broadcast of WPTF’s Weekend Gardener Show at the State Farmers Market Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. There also will be prizes and food samples as hosts Mike Raley and Anne Clapp answer questions from the audience.
Plants are also available at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market, but the main attraction this weekend is the annual Craft Fair. With more than 60 vendors participating, it will be easy to get a jump on your holiday shopping. The fair will be open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition to gardening and craft events, the state-operated farmers markets will have a large selection of pumpkins, apples and other fall produce available for purchase. Fall is also a great time to take advantage of local corn mazes, hayrides and pick-your-own pumpkin patches. To find locations near you, go to the department’s agritourism website.